Dental Hygienist Float

Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit organization in Portland, OR, serving underserved patients with primary care, internal medicine, dental services, and more. Our patient-centered approach honors each individual’s unique needs and circumstances, focusing on whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support through integrated clinical teams.

About the role

This position is responsible for providing dental hygiene and periodontal therapy treatment to patients in clinic and mobile dental units.

Responsibilities

• Provides clinical services to adults and children including prophylaxis, scaling, root planing, soft tissue curettage, and preventative care (oral health screenings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and education).
• Obtains and enters patient information into electronic dental record, including chief complaint, health history, medications, allergies, vitals, patient pain level, findings, and treatment plans.
• Develops and implements preventive oral health programs for patients.
• Provides blood pressure screening and administers topical and local anesthesia as licensure permits.
• Performs fluoride applications, polish restorations, and alloys.
• Provides nitrous oxide as licensure permits.
• Coordinates a variety of dental health services including case management and referrals to available community resources.
• Provides patients and their families with instruction on oral hygiene, oral disease prevention, and post-operative instructions, including anticipated next steps and appointment information.
• Consults regularly with dentists on individual patient needs and complex medical histories.
• Maintains proper infection control practices at all times, including PPE, hand hygiene, handling and disposal of sharps and biohazard waste, instrument sterilization, and dental operatory disinfection.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with all levels of co-workers and the general public.
• Assists in new employee training on specific tasks, as needed.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.
• Participates in process and quality improvement workflows.
• Maintains punctual, regular, and predictable attendance.
• Complies with NHC standardized workflows, protocols, HIPAA, OSHA, and safety guidelines.
• Performs all duties necessary to support tele-dentistry as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program.
• One year related experience and/or training preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Valid and unencumbered Oregon Dental Hygiene License is required.
• BLS card is required.

Skills

• Highly punctual and dependable.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain discretion with sensitive or confidential information.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work under direction of multiple people.
• Intermediate or higher proficiency of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks, sometimes with conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and within a team setting.
• Familiarity with video conferencing applications and software.
• Excellent grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours occasionally as needed.

Benefits

• 20 days of PTO (based on full-time employment).
• 9 paid holidays.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Quarterly wellness reimbursements.
• Generous 401k retirement plan with employer match.
• Employer-paid disability insurance.
• EAP and life insurance.

Schedule

This position is full-time, scheduled to work 40 hours per week with 4/10-hour workdays. Working days and locations may be variable. Occasional weekend availability may be required.

Working Conditions

This position experiences stressors due to high patient volume in a fast-paced environment. The noise level is moderate to loud. The employee is regularly exposed to toxic chemicals for infection control, bloodborne pathogens, and contaminated sharp instruments. Regularly sits while working on the computer, uses hands and fingers to handle tools, and reads from a computer screen for extended periods. Frequently stands and walks to gather supplies, file, use office equipment, or collaborate with employees. Occasionally lifts or moves objects, equipment, and supplies weighing approximately 20-25 pounds, up to 40-50 pounds.